Lytic activity of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus against bacteria of the family Legionellaceae.

A lytic activity of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strains 6-5-S and 12 was found to be present, against representatives of three Legionella species: Legionella pneumophila-strains Knoxville 1 (serogroup 1), Togus 1 (serogroup 2), Bloomington 2 (serogroup 3) and Los Angeles 1 (serogroup 4); Legionella micdadei-strain Tatlock; Legionella bozemanii-strain Wiga, as well as against strains of Legionella pneumophila isolated in Bulgaria-Draginovo 1, 2, 3-belonging to serogroup 1. It is suggested that B. bacteriovorus participates in the self-purification of the environment from legionellae.